Broken Vow Filly Tops First Book 5 Session

With the higher-profile horses of racing age having already sold and Book 5 beginning, Wednesday’s Keeneland November session was somewhat more low key, but stats were more or less in line with trends seen throughout the marathon auction.

Through nine days of trade, 1,962 horses have sold for a combined $197,734,300. The cumulative average is $100,782, down 6.9% from this stage 12 months ago. The median remains the same as last year at $45,000, but the RNA rate has improved this year to 23.3% from 27.7%.

Topping Wednesday’s session was hip 2892, a weanling filly by Broken Vow consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock, Agent I. Bred in West Virginia by Evergreen Thoroughbreds, she was purchased for $110,000 by Hidden Brook, agent. The Mar. 11 foal is out of an unplaced full-sister to MGSP ‘TDN Rising Star’ Pacific Wind (Curlin) and half to MGISW and GISP millionaire Strike a Deal (Smart Strike).

Foals carried the day and were responsible for 10 of the top 12 lots–six of those 10 were by first-crop sires.

Tops among older horses was Reality Queen (Pioneerof the Nile), who was picked up by Mary and Maria Haire for $75,000. Beaten a neck last time on the Belmont grass Oct. 27, she was consigned as a racing or broodmare prospect by Bluewater Sales LLC, Agent II as hip 3187on behalf of Three Diamonds Farm.

A total of 228 head changed hands Wednesday for gross receipts of $3,952,400. The average was $17,335 (-8.9%) and median was $12,000 (+4.3%). The buyback rate was again improved from last year at 23.7% compared to 27.4%.